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All I heard was that a potential voter got a call from a candidate, or on behalf of one, where his called ID read "BCSD", as if they were making the calls from a public school or whatever?

never mind....

Time to form a shadow government. For instance, let the losers in ward 1, 2, 4 and at large form a shadow government, Lou can represent Ward 3. Let the losers work on an opposition platform monthly before the public. Lets see all the actions of the previous month be reviewed in a public meeting monthly where the losers can discuss and vote on matters as if they themselves were in office.

While this would require work and difficult decisions on the budget it would hold the elected council's feet to the fire. Then over time let the losers who are not going to run in 2011, be replaced with a slate of individuals who seek to be nominated for the next round.

In sum it is easy to carp from the outside, but perhaps the most instructive measure would be for those who seek a voice should show now how they would lead the city out of this mess.

The meeting could take place in brothers dining room at say the first Monday of the month, and could come with diner and act as a fund raiser and be aired on cable. I bet those who attend as an audience might be willing to pay say $35. a head and get one free cocktail with a choice from among three entrees.

Loyal voters could assign themselves as staff to each fake council member to act as researchers and assemble documents for public consideration.

In sum, the voting is about power and ego but if people really wanted to make a better city and focused group of citizens could drive the Council into action....just as the rich property owners with their own motives have done.

In sum loyal opposition if organized with the right motives can pretty well chart the cities future outside of office given the motives and skill set of those elected.

Edited by author 11-05-2009 11:30 AM
The selection of candidate process in both parties is equally lacking as to not attract the best candidates as far as I am concerned. It's clear that the Republican party leadership opted to air their dirty laundry in public to try to stick it to a couple individuals. Waste of time and shows nothing more than bad leadership picking bad candidates. Read my lips.. old news. I don't care. Start worrying about the 15% tax increase.. how to pursuade city hall that this is absolutely not acceptable and to make the necessary cuts to get it down below 10% at the very least.

Chipper3 - I am a little annoyed at Deanna because of her indeciveness (did I spell that correct) as to whether or not to run for re-election or not. Let me first say that the letter written by Cindy Trimble, Chairman of the Beacon GOP, a couple of weeks ago to the Beacon Free Press was uncalled for and selfish. I believe it harmed the Republican candidate in the 1st Ward - Andrew Forman. What did Cindy accomplish by writing this letter? Other than to rile up people like Deanna and Marlene.

For Deanna to act as if the Beacon GOP abandoned her couldn't be further from the truth. Another strike against the GOP Chairman, she had an arbitrary date for Deanna to make up her mind as to whether to run or not. Deanna in the past likes to wait for the last possible minute to notify the party her intentions whether to run or not. In the past, the GOP had no choice, because there really weren't any candidates coming forward to make the committment to run. That wasn't the case in 2009. Several people stepped up and showed interest. Deanna wants to tell everyone the GOP gave her the boot. The reality is, Deanna just can't make a decision.

For her to actively campaign against Andrew Forman and come up with stories like the GOP gave her the boot shows NO CLASS for Deanna. This is after the party - CARRIED HER - on every single election!

Jerry Landisi is an excellent candidate (which is why the GOP recruited him in 2007 to run). He wasn't exactly up front with his participation during this process either. For him to accuse the "Forman family" of "stacking the deck" for Andrew Forman to get the GOP nomination for the 1st Ward again - couldn't be further from the truth. The party actually nominated Justin Riccobono to run in this ward and had asked Andrew to run At-Large. After Andrew explained to the committee of his lack of time to campaign city-wide - they switched the two. But Landisi tells people that somehow the Formans orchestrated this.

My point is, Cindy made a mistake requiring these candidates to make their decision by such an early date - Deanna probably wouldn't have made up her mind with ANY date Cindy had picked. Alot of this mumbo - jumbo could have been avoided with a common sense apporach.

Live and Learn

GMIP - If they voted no to the property tax increase, what would happen? I honestly don't know this answer. Do they vote no and business as usual?
They did reduce the budget from 25% last year to what it ended up being. Many residents weren't happy with the cuts that were on the table and compromises were made.

I am ward 3 so I never tried to call her but she had reports at the meetings of people having concerns.

But why are people asking what she has done know, she has less than two months to go and she is done.

Let's face it, the majority of our city council members just nod their heads to whatever our mayor asks of them. Thankfully we have Randy on the council.

Chipper3 - You must be a very special person. I don't know of anyone who's been able to get a hold of Deanna. She's a nice enouogh person, but I don't believe she was a real asset as a council person. I rarely hear her asking the tough questions or challenging the administration. Why in the world would she have voted for a property tax increase last year is beyond me. I'm sure Mayor Gold was very happy with her vote.

At the last council meeting, the union rep for the public workers was there (especially hearing that there may be employee cuts). At the last public comments section, he made two interesting comments.

He said the city shovels the sidewalk for the DIA and maybe this can be cut. Unless that was stupidly written into any agreements for them coming into Beacon, that needs to stop considering that work done is typically overtime hours. And maybe the city need to review what other sidewalks are being done that the property owners should be taking care of, this would be a cost saving measure.

He also said that he knows of some workers already slated to retire. Hopefully the city knows who they are so that someone doesn't get let go who could have stayed while the retiree leaves without being replaced.

Sounds like better communication is needed there.

On Deanna, as a representative of Ward 1, she always listened to her constituents and reported any issues she had and I feel followed through on that. She was vocal on the council as she wanted to understand what she was voting for what she felt was the best for Beacon, not just saying yes to 'be done with that vote'. I feel she is doing a fine job as a representative of her constituents. And even without an email, her constituents are able to get a hold of her.

Are Clark and C V one in the same ??

Edited by author 11-04-2009 10:50 PM
CV you gave me the tip of the century indirectly a while back I would have loved to say that and why but the info was so remarkable I have just been holding under my hat so to speak.

CV you are quite the journalist. Thank you, above virtually all others I think you really understand the power of this people Internet thing.

Thanks so much for the quality of your reporting.

Mansfield is self-employed as a contractor and tradesman, but he will have problems with conflicts on the Council. His major client has been Lee Boulter, the Talix owner and developer who has issues now before Council. His own property is part of the Fishkill Creek Development Corridor which is a priority for this administration. And because he has successfully sued the city in the past, I don't see how he can take part in legal discussions pertaining to the city without opening the city up to counter legal arguments. Clark -- tip of the day!

/m30821 Could this be a referance to George's boss ?

That list will be short. Don't count on her posting anything because I don't think she knows how to turn on a computer.